BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
It’s turning out to be a big year for double bassists. First up, we saw the Women in Bass project, which brought double bassists together from across Australia and New Zealand.
This time, it’s the young double bassists of Victoria who will gather in the spotlight for the VCASS Double Bass Day.
Now in its third year, this event will provide educational and performance opportunities to students of the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and beyond. Emma Sullivan (who you might’ve read about in our Women in Bass story) is facilitating the event; and double bassists and educators Ben Hanlon, Stephen Newton, and Damien Eckersley will pass down their knowledge and skill to the new generation of double bassists.
We have a chat with Ben about what these students are going to get out of the masterclasses and massed double bass ensemble experiences.
Ben, tell us how you came to be part of VCASS Double Bass Day.
I have been fortunate to teach alongside Emma Sullivan (the organisational, logistical, and generally everything force behind VCASS Double Bass Day) at VCASS for a number of years, now. We have a great system and really great working relationship, where Emma takes French bow students at VCASS and I take German bow.
Emma suggested to me two years ago that it would be great to have an event to get a lot of young bass students together in Melbourne, to have performances, masterclasses, and a massed bass ensemble.
With the goals of encouraging new bass players, promoting VCASS, and generally getting young bassists excited about their instrumental community, I thought this was a brilliant idea and jumped at the chance to be involved by performing, mentoring, and teaching as part of that day.
Talk us through what’s going to happen on the day.
We will start with a welcome, general overview of the day, then have a short performance by one of the tutors Stephen Newton, MSO, who will be performing his new composition for solo double bass. I will be playing a work, and Emma and Damien Eckersley (MSO) will be performing.
Then, we will have a masterclass run by me with two students each performing for, and receiving tuition from, Damien and Stephen; while much younger students go for a group class with Emma.
We will then have another short tutor performance before our massed bass ensemble rehearsal. The day will culminate in a concert for teachers and parents by this massed bass ensemble, showcasing what we have achieved throughout the day.
Why is an event like this important for students of VCASS?
I think an event like this is important for bass students at VCASS in the same way it is important for all the bass students that attend: to see and hear beautiful bass playing, and receive helpful and encouraging instruction from leading professional players; to hear other students, and get a general sense of the level of performance being achieved by bass students across Melbourne. [It’s also about] generally getting a communal sense of how others are dealing with and overcoming the challenge of playing the double bass and, most importantly, to meet and form relationships with other members of the double bass playing community who may become lifelong colleagues and friends.
As a tutor, how do you prepare your students to take part in the performances?
Honestly, I prepare my students to perform for the masterclass segment as if it were any other lesson given that, in the masterclass, they want to present something they are proud of and feel confident playing in public; but also in order to get the best out of the guest tutors by presenting things that may be their weaknesses, that they are struggling with, that they need solutions to and will receive from the tutors.
This is not just to their benefit, but to the benefit of all attending as, if one student finds something hard, you can guarantee others there will too. And getting help with that is so beneficial.
For the massed bass ensemble section, we prepare the parts so that my students know the notes well enough to enjoy the chamber music element of collaborating with others, and so they can enjoy the novelty of playing with so many bass players without having to agonise over a new part.
How would you describe the sense of community among young musicians as they share this experience together with their fellow double bassists?
I think it’s a beautiful thing to see. The reality is that double bass in the orchestral sense is a collaborative instrument, and you will spend your life playing next to seven other bass players who will be lifelong colleagues and friends. However, at a younger age, it is rare to have many bass players at one school. So these events give students a real sense of what its like to play in a bass section, to be part of a bass community, [and] giving them a chance to experience a huge range of ideas and ways of playing while also just enjoying everyone’s company.
You’ll also be performing at this event. What are some of the thoughts that go through your mind when you perform in front of your students, knowing you’re one of their biggest role models?
It’s always both wonderful and terrifying to perform in front of other bass players: wonderful, as you know they appreciate exactly the challenge you are taking on and can sympathise with everything you are going through; terrifying, as you know they can play and you want to make sure you present them with something worthy of appreciation and respect.
In terms of being a ‘role model’, I just try to play as well as I can and as honestly as I can while making the goal to make good music; while being as generous, helpful, and honest as I can be as a mentor and tutor.
Why should parents and friends come along to support these young players in the final event?
First of all, its a really unique experience. It’s rare to hear solo double bass anyway, so over 50 basses playing together is something else.
But more importantly, parents and teachers being aware of the challenges the double bass presents, the standard of performance that is out there, and appreciating how their child/student can continue to be excited about their instrument while working to improve, can only help. And that is what
attending this concert and the classes throughout the day can provide.
Is there anything else you’d like to add before the big day?
This is a fantastically fun day for everyone involved, and I highly recommend as many bass students, teachers, and parents attend as possible.
Also, a huge thank you to Emma for the phenomenal work she puts in pulling it all together; and a big thank you for the generosity of Damien and Stephen for being involved and sharing their music and wisdom.
Find out more about the VCASS Double Bass Day, taking place at VCASS on April 1, online. You can also book tickets to watch the culminating performance, which is open to the public.
Images supplied.
